Before I started my Diabetes education classes I wanted to get some well researched information written by someone who went through it and not by just a Dr. only. This book is helpful and well written...an easy read. Titled clearly for easy to find topics.

This book was so helpful. I know I will learn more from it every day. If you are just diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes it's a must have. I had no idea what I was doing. This book has gotten me through. I highly recommend it.

A good starter book that takes a lot of the guess work out of " What- do I- do-now " ?? Well researched and presented..

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) Useful, current information about "causes" and treatments of Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin Resistance; Blood Glucose measurement and management; Low-fat, Low-carb, Low-Glycemic Index, other Diets. Thoughtful, sensitive information about the frustrations faced by Type 2 diabetics: Family; Friends; Work; Travel. No-nonsense guide on how to take control and manage your Diabetes.

After reading this book, I bought additional copies to give to friends.

Excellent book; very informative and "user friendly." However, I wish I had been shipped the latest edition instead of being "jipped" by receiving the old edition.

I ordered this book the day the doctor told me to begin testing glucose numbers. It is a wonderful orientation of what is going on and what to expect as the months progress. My disposition was that if reading about diabetes and testing, testing, testing can make me do everything necessary to avoid full blown disease, I should try it. This approach and this book have worked so far. The book has taught me to be aggressive, and this is a huge help right now.

Written for the layperson who has been newly diagnosed with Type 2. This book has made all the difference in my attitude towards my diabetes. I believe your primary physican can actually mislead you where this book has explained what my options are and I feel great with the knowledge obtained thru reading this book. I highly recommend getting a copy if you have Type 2 diabetes.

This book has really helped me to find out about Type 2 diabetes. I had no idea what it was until I was told that I had it. I thought all people with diabetes had to take insulin shots! Gretchen Becker has been like having a good friend taking you through the steps. I highly recommend it for anyone newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Yolanda Gungl

I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and my doctor recommended this book. It's got a lot of information in it, presented in clear, understandable language. When there are different points of view on topics (like diets) she doesn't take sides but presents the issues. Worth a read if you're trying to figure out what being diabetic is all about and how to handle it.

I have just received my diagnosis and gone for individual session and 3 hour class session. So far, this book has been more helpful than all the facts "that were recited quickly to me" at the certified diabetes education center, sponsored by the local hospital (at the tune of $300.00). Since I've always had to have books around me, this particular book is very good for me because I can refer back many times to those areas that get "fuzzy" while I'm trying to figure out the exact changes I need to make in my personal life. I like it that the author puts everything in layman terms but is very knowledgeable in medical terms. I recommend this to anyone who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes and is trying to "digest" all this new information quickly. This is a great resource, you can re-read and refer back to info many times, and the price of the book (for all the info) is much cheaper than paying for individual and group classes where many instructors are not good communicators!! The knowledge that we have is our "power" because ultimately WE are the ones that have to manage our own diabetes -- no one else can do it for us -- day in and day out!! We should keep this book handy for many quick references.

The book is a wonderful tool for those who have just been diagnosed with diabetes. It supports your emotional needs from day one. The medical background is thorough and you get overloaded with information. All of the information is presented several times throughout the book in practical applications. You need to read the book several times and some chapters more than once to begin to understand the complexity of the disease and how to manage it. The author does stress that you need support systems and persons working with you and your doctor to get control of your body. I never truely understood how critical diabetes is and suffered daily from the effects of diabetes. I am now trying to gain back my life.

After going through several books and websites I found Gretchen's book to be the best organized, most clearly written, and most important, not at all dumbed down for the masses. The book presents a smart combination of what you need to know about your day to day life with Diabetes together with detailed scientific/medical information. For me, that made all the difference. For the first time I was starting to understand what this disease is about and make some sense of the myriad of treatments, diets, medications, tests, tools, and whatnot. Gretchen manages to compose a book that's smart but not theoretical and contains information that is actually useful for making better choices in your life. In addition, the book has a good number of categorized and annotated references allowing you to explore further whatever topics interest you the most (up to and including nutritional biochemistry).

I was given this book by a friend who has had Type 2 for many years. She's insulin-dependent and said she wished someone had given her the book when she was first diagnosed. I buy it now for anyone I know who has been recently diagnosed. This book gave me so much information that I didn't get from nutritionists, classes, doctors, etc., and four years into my diagnosis I'm still medication free--controlling my diabetes with diet and exercise. My A1c stays around 6.3-6.7 and I return to this book often for a "refresher." It's invaluable, easy to read, and comes from someone who has been there. Too bad Gretchen Becker didn't have her own book when she was diagnosed!

This book is a life saver for a newly diagnosed diabetic. it covers every conceivable emotional issue that crosses one's mind. And it gives direction for additional information

The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle: Lifestyle Center of America's Complete Program to Stop Diabetes, Restore Health,and Build Natural Vitality
The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle Cookbook: Stop Diabetes with an Easy-to-Follow Plant-Based, Carb-Counting Diet
I also highly recommend the books in the 30-Day Diabetes Miracle series.

I bought this guide the day I was diagnosed with Diabetes. It's guidance has really helped me get oriented and begin to properly deal with it. The writing is professional, yet comes from the point of view of a person that isn't just a physician, she HAS diabetes.

The chapters are easy to read and each has a summary at the end. She gives the reader the choice of getting the basic information first, then presenting the clinical reasons to be reviewed in more detail later.

If you really want to learn about diabetes, to on line. There are thousands of recipes and so much information available that this book is truly not necessary. I don't even know where mine is. :(

I purchased this book for my mom who is 74 years old and has just been diagnosed with Type II diabetes. I myself did not read it, but she says that she could not have gotten along without it. Being newly diagnosed, she had no idea about counting carbs and food exchanges, etc. and she said this book really helped her understand all of those things. My mom also recently visited a nutrionist who told her that she was really glad she had the book to refer to because it is perfect for people in her situation and provides the important information that newly diagnosed diabetics should know. She highly recommended the book, hence my reason for writing the review!

This is an excellent and thorough overview of all the issues connected with the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. The author is informative and enthusiastic. Not everyone will be interested in all the topics and the author acknowledges this. The book is laid out in well-organized chapters with a one-sentence summary at the end of each chapter. The book allows you to breeze through chapters that don't interest you, but those topics that you are curious about, you can read in depth. Every question I had was covered in this book. I often went back to the book as questions came up. "What's the difference between test results from a lab or your home meter?? What is hemoglobin A1C?? Can I subtract fiber grams from the total grams of carbs on the label? Why is my blood sugar higher when I wake up than at bedtime 8 hours earlier? How many grams of carbs should I have at a meal?" All these questions are answered and more. Good job Gretchen Becker!

This book helps to expand one's awareness and knowledge of the problems people can encounter when diabetes strikes. Surviving, improving one's quality and quantity of life are reach able objectives but not realistic unless you first follow the suggestions outlined in this book.

I have had type 2 diabetes since 1988. I have had several doctors and diabetes experts. I have been to Diabetic Educators and clinics. I did not feel bad and had never known a person in the family with diabetes so I just did as the doctor said and took my pill every day and saw my condition get worse over the years. Little did I know that the doctor was expecting that. I had no idea that there were things that I could do to prevent complications.

This book explains the things that the doctors do not have time to explain. This covers the things that the Educators - who are mostly not diabetics - forget to tell you. The big difference is that Gretchen has diabetes and is using her considerable skill to teach the reader what she and many others are doing to delay the damage that high blood sugars do to your body.

Get it; read it daily. When you wear it out, buy another. It is the best thing you can do for yourself. You are in a war and you just don't know it. Sign up for her blog and David Mendosa's web site.

Many of the reviews written here diss this book for not covering this or that, especially the emotional rollercoaster that can attend this or any other lifestyle changing condition. The "negatives" can also be interpretted as "matter-of-fact". She does not talk about how to get rid of the condition, but neither does she bring false hope that all of us who are type 2 diabetics can somehow be cured. It's true that some can control the condition with diet and that some who lose enough weight and are careful can reverse the diagnosis. It's not the norm, however. Most will live with diabetes and all of its possibilities, some controlling their levels with diet and pills, some with diet and insulin injections. Some will never be able to control it; some will not be willing to try. The author is not trying to bring doom and gloom or to touch every single variation on the theme. It is a refreshing dose of reality in fairly concise language.

The two most important statements in the book are that I am in charge of my health care and that if I am a smoker, one of the simplest and best ways to help my treatment is to stop smoking. Taking charge of my health care made a monumental change in the level of attention that I received from my physicians and the quality of information that I received. I was suddenly treated with much more respect, and as more of a participant rather than a mere receiver of instructions to be blindly followed. My appointments changed from 8 minute data sessions to 30-45 minute discussions of how things worked and what could be tweaked to make things work better. Very important change in relationship with my main doc; it was good before, but now is great!

Also remember that this is an INTRODUCTION to this condition, not the be-all and end-all of information. It helps the reader to formulate good questions to bring to their physicians and other members of their health-care team--questions that might otherwise go unasked and thus unanswered. Most of us are not well enough informed about this or any other subject when we first start learning about it.

I've purchased three of these and given two of them away to newly diagnosed folks who have thanked me profusely for the great info that they've received and the hope that this book brings. It is a reality check that shares both benefits from good self-care and dangers from ignorance and neglect with this thing called type 2 diabetes. Lots of folks saw the horror stories, some folks saw the offer of light at the end of the tunnel. Look for the light. It's in there!

This book was so helpful in filling in all the gaps (there were many) in my doctor's explanations/instructions for me, a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic. The author offers a straightforward primer on diabetes - what is it? This includes good technical explanations of the disease. How does it work? It discusses the possible effects of diabetes poorly controlled. What can you do to live with it? It discusses the benefits of weight loss, diets and exercise, not by just saying its good for you; but giving a technical explanation why these activities actually modify the way your body responds in the face of diabetes. I was very satisfied with this book and am so happy that when I went onto Amazon to look for Bernstein's book (recommended by my doctor), Amazon recommended Dr. Becker's book in addition. So far, it has been the best resource to help me cope with this new disease.

Back when I first heard the word diabetes spoken to me by a doctor, indicating that it was a condition I was suffering, I remember picking up "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and devouring it in a matter of a couple of days.

Today, it's been 5 years since I was diagnosed. I have type 1 diabetes (not type 2) and I am a pump user since 2005 as well, but the teachings and references on how to deal with diabetes at large still hold true and are just as valuable.

I recommend this book to anyone who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes as a must-have reference to get through the early stages of this condition.

I am recently diagnosed with Type 2 and this was the 10th book I read on the subject...and the only one that was depressing in tone. The author herself admits in her forward that she has issues with food and it shows - she talks a lot about never eating her favorite things again, which is not the case as long as it's done in moderation. I was handling things well until I read this book, then hit a downward spiral for 3 weeks afterward. The info in this book is presented in other books like Diabetes for Dummies and Everything You Need to Know About Type 2 Diabetes without the bummer!

This book is very good and informative. I think it deals with the subject topic very well and it addresses various facets of the disease succinctly. I found another book that also addresses these issues with
the exercise component explored in-depth. I would buy both, because a
failure to come up with a practical plan for keeping your weight down means that these books are worthless.

The Homeopathic and Diabetic Fitness Bootcamp Book

This book is, quite simply, outstanding. Lots of excellent information about handling Type 2 diabetes. The author knows what she's talking about -- very knowledgeable, and very readable.

Even if you have Type 2, it's also a great refresher.

For those of us recently diagnosed with Diabetes 2, this is a very
helpful book. Hearing the diagnosis for the first time can conjure
up a lot of fears, but this book helps to calm the fear and gives you
the answers and guidelines you need. Definitely a good book to have.

I read the book over two days. The information is presented very well and in an understandable manner. It sets the stage for the seriousness of the disease but also gets you in a position to deal with it as best as you can. So far, I have liked this book the most of the diabetes related material I have ordered and highly recommend this. This should be the book you get from your doctor or endocrinologist with the diagnosis.

I read the book over two days. The information is presented very well and in an understandable manner. It sets the stage for the seriousness of the disease but also gets you in a position to deal with it as best as you can. So far, I have liked this book the most of the diabetes related material I have ordered and highly recommend this. This should be the book you get from your doctor or endocrinologist with the diagnosis.

Gave the best description and information I have so far been able to find about Diabetes Type II

I have referred to this book numerous times since I bought it. I even lent it to my cousin and after 3 months told them I wanted it back! lol

An invaluable resource for those newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, this book is packed with information about managing blood glucose, insulin and food intake.

If you have only one book to help you with your diabetes, this should be it! Ms Becker writes in an easy-to-read style and not only tells you about things, but gives you scientific info to help you learn. It is what has gotten me through the shock of my diagnosis. Keep up the good work.

This is the book to read if you're newly diagnosed. Because it is written by a medical writer and a person who actually HAS diabetes, it is easy to understand. Gretchen Becker tells you what to expect and what questions to ask your doctor. We give this book to everyone we encounter who has diabetes! If optimal health is a concern (duh) than I recommend you also read the T_r_u_t_h about C_a_f_f_e_i_n_e. I was amazed how just even one can of cola can raise blood pressure and that several cans can actually make you feel more tired later in the day. This book saved my life!!!!!

When I was first diagnosed with Type II diabetes, my HMO provided a training class. At first, I was just using diet and exercise to control the disease so maybe I did not pay as close attention to the parts about insulin and the various drugs. Ten years have gone by since the class, so I needed more information because the doctor says it is time for insulin. The book answered most of my questions and I trust the author because she also has the disease and knows what she is taking about. That is more than I can say for my HMO doctors and nurses who claim that I should be eating 12 pieces of bread each day. The author mentions that the high carbohydrate theory may not work for everyone so the doctors and nurses are not always right especially about nutrition. Whether you are new to the disease or relearning like me, the book can be recommended.